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Please join us for our annual Open House & Holiday Sale at the new Cecilia Riley Avian Conservation Science Center. Nature gifts for all ages at great prices and some yummy Christmas treats to eat as well. It's a Tax Free Day and members also receive their regular 10% discount on top of that! A savings of 18% while still contributing to bird conservation programming. Can't get by GCBO? Check out our offerings on-line at www.gcbo.org or call the office for that special book order or to get an Adopt-A-Hummer certificate.

Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival

The Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival is November 5th through the 9th. They have tons of great talks including Sheri Williamson, Tim Brush, Steve Howell, Louise Zemaitis, David LaPuma, and many more. There are over 35 field trips to choose from and many family oriented activities. GCBO's own Carol Jones will be on hand at our booth at the Birder's Bazaar so stop by and say hello. For more information on the festival click on the RGVBF promo.

Birds on the Bayou - A Festive Holiday Parth

On the evening of December 11, GCBO will host our annual fundraiser, Birds on the Bayou. This year we will be having this event at our new Cecilia Riley Avian Conservation Science Center at our headquarters in Lake Jackson. Finger foods, exotic cheeses, and elegant desserts will be served. There will also be a silent auction, door prizes, and live music by Sam Harriss. $50.00 per person tickets may be purchased at GCBO or Duckie & Grackle Gallery or by calling 979-480-0999. We are looking forward to sharing this evening with you!

Carlos Comes to GCBO

On Monday, November 3 at 7:00pm Carlos Bethancourt will be speaking on the nature splendor of Panama at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory here in Lake Jackson. Carlos is a native Panamanian and the lead guide for the Canopy Family lodges and properties. He has a true love of birds, the outdoors and nature. Once you see the beauty of the birds and habitat, you will want to go and experience it yourself. Carlos' smile and enthusiasm are contagious so be ready for a genuinely captivating evening. Hope you all can come. 103 Hwy 332 West in Lake Jackson. Call for additional information at 9779-480-0999.

Dow Chemical Supports Educational Kiosk

Dow Chemical Company recently awarded GCBO a grant of $25,000 to build an interactive, touch-screen educational kiosk. Because environmental education is crucial to our future this interactive touchscreen kiosk will be a main feature in the lobby of GCBO's Cecilia Riley Avian Conservation Science Center. With our new Center's programs and family friendly operational hours (Monday - Saturday 9 to 4) we hope to increase ecotourism for the entire region. The Bird Care Kiosk will improve our visitors experience and provide a take-home message leading to a personal commitment to improve their own backyard or schoolyard environment for birds and for people. We expect construction of the kiosk to be complete by March 0f 2015. Once complete you will be invited out to take it for a test drive!

GCBO Receives Brown Foundation Grant

In October GCBO received a $30,000 grant from The Brown Foundation. These funds will allow us to preserve and protect more lands of vital significance for migratory birds in the Gulf Coast region; to expand our knowledge of resident and migratory bird ecology to better prioritize and protect the Galveston Bay estuary system they require to survive and thrive; and to increase public appreciation and support of habitat protection for the benefit of birds, other wildlife and human health. We are grateful for this programmatic support!

ACSC Ribbon Cutting

Wednesday, October 22, was one of the most exciting days any of us at GCBO will ever experience. The Brazosport Chamber of Commerce hosted the Ribbon Cutting for the Cecilia Riley Avian Conservation Science Center. Our new space has been in the planning for over 10 years. Now, with completion of the new Center we are able to offer the community, and our national and international visitors' even greater opportunities and venues for education, scientific programming, meetings, and a pleasurable and peaceful escape to the bottomlands of Brazoria County. We hope all our members and friends will come by soon to tour and visit.

Birds and Blooms For the Holidays

The Lake Jackson Garden Club is sponsoring a luncheon and silent auction to benefit the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory and their new Cecilia Riley Avian Conservation Science Center. This event will be held at the Lake Jackson Civic Center and features Barbara Baker, floral designer and National Garden Club Inc. flower show instructor as well as Cecilia Riley, Executive Director at GCBO. Bidding will run from 10:00-1:00, the speakers will present from 10:00-12:00, and the luncheon will begin at noon. This event costs $20 and checks can be mailed to Sandra Johnson, 104 Waterlily, Lake Jackson, TX 77566 by November 4, 2014. Thank you for your support!

Monthly Bird Banding at GCBO

It's November and the winter birds are here. Last month we caught this beautiful Canada Warbler, a first time catch for us here at GCBO. November has traditionally been the month when we get the most surprises in our nets. Come see what we turn up this month! Bird banding this month will be on Saturday, November 15 from 8:00 until noon. Remember, the birds get up early so the earlier you are here the more you will see. Seeing birds in the hand is a great way to get kids excited about wildlife, but all ages are welcome. See themap on our webpage for directions or find a map by going to Mapquest or GoogleMaps. Note that some other navigators will not take you to the correct location.

Photo of the Month

This photo of the raptors at Smith Point was taken by Mike Gray on October 24th. After a dismal season, we were suddenly innundated with birds that week and had over 100,000 Broad-winged Hawks in 6 days!

Bird Tip of the Month: The winter birds are arriving so its time to make sure your bird feeders are clean and filled with seed. Don't forget the niger seed feeder and you know the woodpeckers and Blue Jays love a peanut feeder. You can also put out suet which will give the birds lots of good energy to survive to cold.

Our Vision is a healthy ecosystem with abundant space for birds to survive and thrive around the Gulf of Mexico.